Incessant rain forces washout

A nation keen to spend Saturday on the couch had to find other things to do as day two of the first Test between Australia and South Africa was washed out in Brisbane.

Play was formally called off at 4pm local time after a final inspection by the umpires Billy Bowden and Asad Rauf took place with drizzle still falling at the Gabba.

Having lost the services of JP Duminy due to a freak Achilles injury during a warm-down exercise on the first evening, South Africa have now lost a day on which they had hoped to press home the advantage won by reaching 2 for 255 on the opening day.

It is the first time a full day's play has been lost to rain in a Brisbane Test since the final day of the 1983 Test between Australia and Pakistan was washed out. The last day's play in a Test match to be completely washed out in Australia was Boxing Day in 1998, when Australia and England met at the MCG.

The rain arrived on Friday evening and barely abated throughout Saturday, leaving the Australian players to sign autographs for those fans who still ventured to the ground.

South Africa's squad returned to their hotel soon after an early lunch was taken, and were ultimately to remain there.

@ Marcio. I'm puzzled as to why you are 100 percent INCORRECT. I've checked the records & you are WRONG! In that match South Africa were at 3/49, NOT 9/49. SA were 9/83, and 96 all out, but NEVER 9/49. Don't take my word for it - check the match figures. It's the smart thing to do before making such claims: http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa-v-australia-2011/engine/match/514029.html

What is the "context" you refer to? That before Oz were 47 all out, they lost 9 wickets for 21 runs - the now infamous 9/21? Is it that SA won the test by 8 wickets? Is the context that you don't know what happened in that game, or that you were making things up to disguise how awful Oz's 2nd innings was, 47 all out being their lowest score since 1902, and lower than the records of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe! The West Indies lowest innings total is, would you believe it, 47 all out!

AB is a terrific batsman, potentially the best in the world, but the way he has played so far with the dual role gives perspective to what a legend Gilly was. Kept wickets superbly throughout a 96 Test career and batted with a strike rate of 80+ and an average close to 48. In fact for most of his Test career his average was in the mid fifties until the consistency started declining.
I hope AB carries on the baton from Gilchrist and becomes a legend himself in the dual role if that is what he wishes.

disco_bob
on November 10, 2012, 23:00 GMT

@ballonbat "What a pity the rain ...[has]... put a dampener on things." This is due to the inherent wetness of water.

Marcio
on November 10, 2012, 21:41 GMT

@Greatest_Game, neither did AUS didn't need a spinner to take 9/49 in the SA innings immediately before that 47, on the same day. They just needed Watson's medium pacers and the trigger happy umpiring that typified the day (compare that to the umpiring in this game, where the LBW seems to be an outlawed term - that's fine by me as long as it remains consistent). A little context might be required with your reference, no? There might be a little in the Gabba surface in the first session this morning, but I expect at least two days of fairly easy batting conditions after that. If SA win this game they will certainly deserve it. Good luck.

Greatest_Game
on November 10, 2012, 20:37 GMT

Marcio. Do you wake each morning feeling so passionate about cricket? I can't recall an unambiguous post of yours, & wonder how you keep up the intensity of your commentary? Cricket is clearly something you take very seriously, & convey that with fervor. Good on ya!

You asked " (Do) you think (SA) are going to ... bowl Australia out ... twice in two days without a spinner?" I wouldn't predict that, but there exists a clear historical precedent that this SA team IS capable of dismissing this Oz team twice in 2 days.

Exactly a year ago, November 10, 2011, Steyn, Morkel and Philander took 95 minutes to dismiss Australia for 47 runs, bowling just 108 balls, or 18 overs. They did not require a spinner.

Given this precedent, here's the scenario: SA declares first thing tomorrow, knocks Oz over for under 50, enforces the follow on, & mops up after lunch.

Of course, if SA WERE playing Zimbabwe, this idea would be delusional. Zim's lowest total is 51 in 28.5 overs!

Cheers mate

Rabbito
on November 10, 2012, 20:16 GMT

the worst part about it is, because its only a 3 test series, it a fairly large chunk of cricket taken out, because a draw is basically a certainty now, which leaves it to a 2 match shoot out, but if it was 4, we would still have a good series left, although in saying that, nothing againts a draw, but when its washed out....i mean, far out, were in aussie not pommie land!!.....

Cpt.Meanster
on November 10, 2012, 19:30 GMT

Oh don't tell me the weather CONTROLS a game of cricket, I mean... TEST cricket !!! Come on... we are in the 21st Century !!!! There should be indoor stadiums built. These so called rich boards should work with the BCCI to build indoor cricket stadiums so that people can bypass the weather constraints and have a good time. I know test cricket is boring and all that but some people love it irrespective. This is doubly disappointing to those people who would have been pumped after day 1. Now this game is likely to be a dull draw, that is if we even get any play tomorrow.

Saffie1987
on November 10, 2012, 17:55 GMT

Well to be honest, people might find it irritating that some Sa fans like myself go a bit overboard about Sa's Chances, and of course i know it's going to be difficult! But i have heard so many people downplay this South-African Test Match Team, and act as if Australia is invincible, but they arn't! Looking at the first day, althought it's still early days, it must be quite evident that South-Africa is by far better than Australia at the moment, and you will understand what i mean once the series has finished!

on November 10, 2012, 15:47 GMT

Ross are you feeling ok? An aus victory more likely than a SA victory? HAVE YOU SEEN THE SCOREBOARD? We dont need a spinner to win a test. We went 15 years without a spinner and did pretty well thank you. Draw is most likely, and then a SA win. We already have 250 on the board, with essentially 3 wickets down. Your comments are mind boggling.

Greatest_Game
on November 11, 2012, 4:44 GMT

@ Marcio. I'm puzzled as to why you are 100 percent INCORRECT. I've checked the records & you are WRONG! In that match South Africa were at 3/49, NOT 9/49. SA were 9/83, and 96 all out, but NEVER 9/49. Don't take my word for it - check the match figures. It's the smart thing to do before making such claims: http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa-v-australia-2011/engine/match/514029.html

What is the "context" you refer to? That before Oz were 47 all out, they lost 9 wickets for 21 runs - the now infamous 9/21? Is it that SA won the test by 8 wickets? Is the context that you don't know what happened in that game, or that you were making things up to disguise how awful Oz's 2nd innings was, 47 all out being their lowest score since 1902, and lower than the records of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe! The West Indies lowest innings total is, would you believe it, 47 all out!

AB is a terrific batsman, potentially the best in the world, but the way he has played so far with the dual role gives perspective to what a legend Gilly was. Kept wickets superbly throughout a 96 Test career and batted with a strike rate of 80+ and an average close to 48. In fact for most of his Test career his average was in the mid fifties until the consistency started declining.
I hope AB carries on the baton from Gilchrist and becomes a legend himself in the dual role if that is what he wishes.

disco_bob
on November 10, 2012, 23:00 GMT

@ballonbat "What a pity the rain ...[has]... put a dampener on things." This is due to the inherent wetness of water.

Marcio
on November 10, 2012, 21:41 GMT

@Greatest_Game, neither did AUS didn't need a spinner to take 9/49 in the SA innings immediately before that 47, on the same day. They just needed Watson's medium pacers and the trigger happy umpiring that typified the day (compare that to the umpiring in this game, where the LBW seems to be an outlawed term - that's fine by me as long as it remains consistent). A little context might be required with your reference, no? There might be a little in the Gabba surface in the first session this morning, but I expect at least two days of fairly easy batting conditions after that. If SA win this game they will certainly deserve it. Good luck.

Greatest_Game
on November 10, 2012, 20:37 GMT

Marcio. Do you wake each morning feeling so passionate about cricket? I can't recall an unambiguous post of yours, & wonder how you keep up the intensity of your commentary? Cricket is clearly something you take very seriously, & convey that with fervor. Good on ya!

You asked " (Do) you think (SA) are going to ... bowl Australia out ... twice in two days without a spinner?" I wouldn't predict that, but there exists a clear historical precedent that this SA team IS capable of dismissing this Oz team twice in 2 days.

Exactly a year ago, November 10, 2011, Steyn, Morkel and Philander took 95 minutes to dismiss Australia for 47 runs, bowling just 108 balls, or 18 overs. They did not require a spinner.

Given this precedent, here's the scenario: SA declares first thing tomorrow, knocks Oz over for under 50, enforces the follow on, & mops up after lunch.

Of course, if SA WERE playing Zimbabwe, this idea would be delusional. Zim's lowest total is 51 in 28.5 overs!

Cheers mate

Rabbito
on November 10, 2012, 20:16 GMT

the worst part about it is, because its only a 3 test series, it a fairly large chunk of cricket taken out, because a draw is basically a certainty now, which leaves it to a 2 match shoot out, but if it was 4, we would still have a good series left, although in saying that, nothing againts a draw, but when its washed out....i mean, far out, were in aussie not pommie land!!.....

Cpt.Meanster
on November 10, 2012, 19:30 GMT

Oh don't tell me the weather CONTROLS a game of cricket, I mean... TEST cricket !!! Come on... we are in the 21st Century !!!! There should be indoor stadiums built. These so called rich boards should work with the BCCI to build indoor cricket stadiums so that people can bypass the weather constraints and have a good time. I know test cricket is boring and all that but some people love it irrespective. This is doubly disappointing to those people who would have been pumped after day 1. Now this game is likely to be a dull draw, that is if we even get any play tomorrow.

Saffie1987
on November 10, 2012, 17:55 GMT

Well to be honest, people might find it irritating that some Sa fans like myself go a bit overboard about Sa's Chances, and of course i know it's going to be difficult! But i have heard so many people downplay this South-African Test Match Team, and act as if Australia is invincible, but they arn't! Looking at the first day, althought it's still early days, it must be quite evident that South-Africa is by far better than Australia at the moment, and you will understand what i mean once the series has finished!

on November 10, 2012, 15:47 GMT

Ross are you feeling ok? An aus victory more likely than a SA victory? HAVE YOU SEEN THE SCOREBOARD? We dont need a spinner to win a test. We went 15 years without a spinner and did pretty well thank you. Draw is most likely, and then a SA win. We already have 250 on the board, with essentially 3 wickets down. Your comments are mind boggling.

a1s2
on November 10, 2012, 15:42 GMT

@front-foot-league test match result is not decided on first day! this is the first time in many years that a day was washed out in australia. and didn't england do the same rain dance to save themself from sri lanka in 2007 3rd test.and what match are you talking about against england?? i have my support for england but don't spread nonsense

on November 10, 2012, 15:12 GMT

marcio: I think there is a distinction to be made between SA fans and people supporting SA in this series. Most SA fans know how tough it is to beat the Aussies and that they will never back down after just one good day. This is going to be a great series to watch.

Ross_Co
on November 10, 2012, 15:08 GMT

@only_sachin - I thought India didn't use the number 4 any more. After all, without 4 you can't make 4-nil.

only_sachin
on November 10, 2012, 13:55 GMT

Saffers have shown Ozzies their true place. I don't think this match will go beyond day 4.

gogoldengreens
on November 10, 2012, 13:36 GMT

Front foot lunge must be delusional.... No days of play been washed out at Gabba since '83 Aussies have never lost at Gabba since "88... No day washed at any Australian venue out since "98.... We don't have grounds made of clay that turn into swimming pools if it rains the night before.... Every where else around the globe always show blue skies and water pooled on the outfield only thing that keeps us off the park is rain falling from the sky and the next 45 min once it has gone - this 45 min is the take off the covers....

Ross_Co
on November 10, 2012, 13:29 GMT

Draw the most likely here with Oz victory next most - if they can get SA out by tea. Saffa victory not impossible but they'd need to make Oz follow on to even have a chance & even then they'd be trying to winkle them out on a last day Brisbane pitch without a spinner. Oz have a spinner - if SA are batting to save the match on the last day there could be disaster in the air. Still, draw most likely.

SurlyCynic
on November 10, 2012, 13:03 GMT

Marcio: I think SA fans have learned the habit from the behaviour of Aussie fans during that long, dreary decade when they were on top. Although they still have a lot to learn before they attain that level of arrogance!

on November 10, 2012, 13:00 GMT

Come on South africa. Lets win the battle

Hilas
on November 10, 2012, 12:34 GMT

Thers no way this australian side can beat the proteas,btw wht happend to da pace and bounce ?

on November 10, 2012, 12:33 GMT

Bad luck for South Africa. They were looking exceedingly well to take a lead in the very first game. A draw is on the card now. Not saying that a win for any team is not possible but it seems that it is going to be a drawn match. Hope that cricket fans get the help of the weather the next 3 days

Rain spoiled the party... I think this match would be a draw. You can't dismiss Aussies on their own backyard for a cheap score for 2 times in 2 days.

Marcio
on November 10, 2012, 11:37 GMT

I am not sure how so many SA fans and media writers became this delusional, but delusional is the only word I can find to fit the comments posted by many on this web site. Reality check. Your cricket team is not playing the Zimbabwean 2nd 11 women's team. You are playing Australia, the same team you couldn't beat in any of the three format series in your home country last year, and who also beat you in the T20 WC a month ago. And you think you are going to just walk it in here, in Australia? Because of one decent day at the beginning of a series? Look, I don't know who will win this series, but I can assure you that it will not be the high--fiving, self-congratulatory cakewalk that so many of the SA fans and media think it's going to be. Pride cometh before the fall. Always. And you think you are going to post 500 and bowl Australia out on this road of a pitch twice in two days without a spinner? Good lordy!

hhillbumper
on November 10, 2012, 11:33 GMT

i was so looking forward to this but nothing happened.Bit like the Aussie bowling really

RednWhiteArmy
on November 10, 2012, 11:28 GMT

Rain could take out another day & South Africa will still ruin australia

Mikecricket
on November 10, 2012, 11:11 GMT

Come on Aussies Lets win this!

Front-Foot-Lunge
on November 10, 2012, 11:06 GMT

Australia continue their long and proud tradition of being saved by rain. Versus England, South Africa, whoever, whenever they're in trouble they do a little rain dance as Mr Rain is the current best player Australia have to offer.

heathrf1974
on November 10, 2012, 10:52 GMT

The Aussies will have to bowl much tighter tomorrow. 4 out of 6 good balls isn't good enough. Lyon needs to give the ball more flight as well and stop bowling so straight.

Nutcutlet
on November 10, 2012, 10:48 GMT

@Meety... Worry not... Irony comes with age... The Saffie lad hasn't passed 30 yet! (if 1987 means what I think it does) That's one of the challenges of contributing to these posts... The audience is amorphus & the differing cultures frequently have very little in common, apart from an interest in/ passion for some aspects of cricket. (I got it, btw, but at my age I should!). BW

R_U_4_REAL_NICK
on November 10, 2012, 10:45 GMT

Ah it's like the England series all over again. Thought it was only UK had the weather as a 12th man...

Rajesh_india_1990
on November 10, 2012, 9:26 GMT

RAIN saved australia's PAIN without any GAIN for the spectators!!

ballonbat
on November 10, 2012, 8:49 GMT

Why do we all invest so much of our time and passion in a game that is so utterly weather-dependent? All that build-up, conjecture, debate, threats, promises, boasts, all the excitement and looking forward to a right royal battle and now this.

Looks like there might be more rain tomorrow too. Let's hope not and let's hope for a good, tight match for remaining days. What a pity the rain and JP's injury have put a dampener on things.

Meety
on November 10, 2012, 8:36 GMT

@ Saffie1987 on (November 10 2012, 07:52 AM GMT) - you didn't see any attempt at humour in my comment??? - oh well, I can put to bed any dreams I had of being a stand up comedian!

on November 10, 2012, 8:14 GMT

what cpt in the history of cricket wanted their opposition to be 255/2 with the best batsmen in the world and a guy with 12000 runs in his career both in with 90 n/o and 84n/o? i just hope theres play tomo. the rain hopefully livened the pitch up though.. now 4 seamers seems less of a gamble

TommytuckerSaffa
on November 10, 2012, 8:13 GMT

Weather saves Australia. Lucky escape. Still looking forward to watching their brittle batting lineup shatter. We saw what their bowlers could do - not much.

Safalicious
on November 10, 2012, 8:12 GMT

@Saffie1987 "Thanks Aussies for putting up a fight" What fight? The only good thing about tthe rain is that a result is now unlikely, and that will allow Amla and Kallis to both try for Double tons....... or better!

Essex_Man
on November 10, 2012, 8:06 GMT

@Jonesey2 - we're not interested in hearing about 3 village cricketers.

Saffie1987
on November 10, 2012, 7:52 GMT

Lucky for Saffas? I agree, it's good it has rained all day! This means the South-African bowlers will be even more fired up! The Aussie batsman are going to get blown away! We dealt with the England batting line-up, wich is better than Australia's batting Line-up! Bye Bye Australia, thanx for putting up a fight, and i realy feel for you guys, you thought the rain would save you, well not so much :-) ;-) :-P!!!!!!!!!!!

jonesy2
on November 10, 2012, 7:42 GMT

meanwhile, in hobart, usman khawaja smashes a rapid ton on a green seaming wicket against the likes of jackson bird and james faulkner

Saffie1987
on November 10, 2012, 7:39 GMT

South-Africa will stil win this! If they can score another 200 runs in quick time, they will have about 7 sessions left to bowl Australia out twice! Plus, South-Africa has the bowling attack to bowl Australia out for 200 twice! or even less than that! So if you take in account the 20 wickets South-Africa need to win the game, and if you consider the 7 sessions they have to do that, it goes like this:

20 divided by 7 = 3, so South-Africa would then need around about 3 wickets per session to win the game, wich i believe can easily be done! Australia's batting isn't that strong!

Meety
on November 10, 2012, 7:28 GMT

Very lucky for the Saffas! Pup had them exactly where he wanted them!

disco_bob
on November 10, 2012, 6:56 GMT

Move along, nothing to see here folks.

No featured comments at the moment.

disco_bob
on November 10, 2012, 6:56 GMT

Move along, nothing to see here folks.

Meety
on November 10, 2012, 7:28 GMT

Very lucky for the Saffas! Pup had them exactly where he wanted them!

Saffie1987
on November 10, 2012, 7:39 GMT

South-Africa will stil win this! If they can score another 200 runs in quick time, they will have about 7 sessions left to bowl Australia out twice! Plus, South-Africa has the bowling attack to bowl Australia out for 200 twice! or even less than that! So if you take in account the 20 wickets South-Africa need to win the game, and if you consider the 7 sessions they have to do that, it goes like this:

20 divided by 7 = 3, so South-Africa would then need around about 3 wickets per session to win the game, wich i believe can easily be done! Australia's batting isn't that strong!

jonesy2
on November 10, 2012, 7:42 GMT

meanwhile, in hobart, usman khawaja smashes a rapid ton on a green seaming wicket against the likes of jackson bird and james faulkner

Saffie1987
on November 10, 2012, 7:52 GMT

Lucky for Saffas? I agree, it's good it has rained all day! This means the South-African bowlers will be even more fired up! The Aussie batsman are going to get blown away! We dealt with the England batting line-up, wich is better than Australia's batting Line-up! Bye Bye Australia, thanx for putting up a fight, and i realy feel for you guys, you thought the rain would save you, well not so much :-) ;-) :-P!!!!!!!!!!!

Essex_Man
on November 10, 2012, 8:06 GMT

@Jonesey2 - we're not interested in hearing about 3 village cricketers.

Safalicious
on November 10, 2012, 8:12 GMT

@Saffie1987 "Thanks Aussies for putting up a fight" What fight? The only good thing about tthe rain is that a result is now unlikely, and that will allow Amla and Kallis to both try for Double tons....... or better!

TommytuckerSaffa
on November 10, 2012, 8:13 GMT

Weather saves Australia. Lucky escape. Still looking forward to watching their brittle batting lineup shatter. We saw what their bowlers could do - not much.

on November 10, 2012, 8:14 GMT

what cpt in the history of cricket wanted their opposition to be 255/2 with the best batsmen in the world and a guy with 12000 runs in his career both in with 90 n/o and 84n/o? i just hope theres play tomo. the rain hopefully livened the pitch up though.. now 4 seamers seems less of a gamble

Meety
on November 10, 2012, 8:36 GMT

@ Saffie1987 on (November 10 2012, 07:52 AM GMT) - you didn't see any attempt at humour in my comment??? - oh well, I can put to bed any dreams I had of being a stand up comedian!